Child Abuse

The long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse can include many emotional, psychological and physical conditions. The experience of sexual assault or abuse at any age and whether male or female can have devastating effects on every aspect of a person’s being and life – on their mind, their body, their behaviour, thoughts and feelings.

The following list includes some of the effects now being recognised and acknowledged as the consequences of childhood sexual abuse on many victims and survivors.

Every survivor is unique as an individual, so may experience some, all or none of the following symptoms:

PTSD

Depression

Anxiety

Dissociation

Flashbacks

Nightmares

Irritability and outbursts of anger

Suicidal Thoughts

Suicide

Alcohol Misuse and dependence

Sexual problems

Confusion about sexuality

Eating Disorders

Self-injury and self harming behaviour

Transient psychotic episodes

Borderline Personality Disorder

Dissociative Identity disorder

Somatisation – Emotional distress experienced as physical pain

Increased rates of physical conditions like heart disease and cancer

Homelessness

Revictimisation

Prostitution

Criminal behaviour (including for a small minority sexual offences)

Low self-esteem

Lack of confidence

Sleep Problems

Parenting Problems

Relationship Problems

If you are a victim or survivor of sexual violence, the thought that you may be affected in any of the above ways may be frightening and daunting. RASASC NW strives to have the professional expertise and empathic understanding necessary to help survivors meet the challenges and difficulties they are experiencing as a result of abuse or rape.